Your Views: What’s so special about Derry?

The latest Visitor Attitude Survey indicated an impressive 98% of those surveyed believed that the Derry City and Strabane Council area met or exceeded expectations. The most popular attractions were the Derry Walls, Tower Museum, and the Guildhall.

The Derry Journal took to the streets to ask local people what they thought were the best attractions in Derry.

Sara Doherty (34) from Rosemount said that she’d probably take visitors to see the Walls. She said: “They’re class. The Peace Bridge is class too.”

But she added that there is still a lot more to do. “Ebrington could definitely be used for more and there’s a lot of derelict sites about.”

Niamh Doherty (19) from Hazelbank echoed those sentiment about there being much more to do.

“I’m a youth worker myself and I feel like the youth needs more than just the Walls. Ebrington is targeted more towards over 18s.

“There are concerts but it’s very alcohol-orientated. I feel like they definitely could be using that space a lot more.”

Guy Cardydis (67) from Donegal spoke about the look and the charm of the city. “It’s all within walking distance. Sometimes people don’t realise when you live up here and there are little details. I’m retired so I come almost every week. It’s very pleasant to come here.”

Johnny Murray (75) from Grangemore talked about the things outside the main attractions that people take for granted. He said: “Like the Brandywell. There’s three or four thousand there every week.”

He also added how he believes Derry needs a strong strategy for tourism. “At the end of the day it’s a bit piecemeal at the minute. They need to get a united vision. I can’t see any reason why this City can’t have twelve events a year.

“You’ve already got St. Patrick’s Day for March and the Jazz festival for April, Hallowe’en in October and the Christmas lights in December. You could get six major events to bring people in. That’s what brings people in.”

George McLaughlin from Prehen said: “From a Derry City point of view, one of the main attractions are the people, and the way the people receive others, the friendliness and the way that people are so helpful to tourists.

“What went against us in the past was that it wasn’t totally safe. When people consider visiting an area they’d like to be safe.”

Councillor Mary Durkan also believed that the main attractions went beyond the locations themselves.

She said: “The people. I would say the people. Their friendliness and welcome, and I know from experience of bringing friends over the years, over the decades that they just love coming to Derry. They love the friendliness and the welcome of the people.”